Media Release
21 December 2007
06:00am

Engineers to inspect Gisborne City CBD

Gisborne CBD has been cordoned off by police to allow structural engineers to begin an examination of affected buildings following last night’s earthquake.

Police report that 2 buildings have collapsed in the CBD. Subsequent reports are of serious structural damage to other buildings within in the CBD.

A state of local emergency was declared by the Gisborne District Council for the Gisborne City Ward at 0100 hours, 21 December 2007.

Retailers and the general public will not be able to access the CDB until the area has been declared safe.

The Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, John Hamilton, advises Gisborne citizens to avoid travel to the affected area until the all-clear has be given by structural engineers.

Essential services are operating normally. All state highways are open along with the airport. The railway line between Napier and a Gisborne is closed pending an inspection at daybreak.

The National Crisis Management Centre remains activated to monitor the situation in Gisborne and assess if government assistance is required.

ENDS

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